Maldives

MAIN HEALTH RISKS

• Malaria has been eradicated for over ten years but mosquitoes remain present and occasionnally transmit such diseases as chikungunya, dengue fever and type-B Japanese encephalitis.
• Protect yourself carefully from sun and heat to avoid burns and sunstrokes.
• There are numerous cases of travelers' diarrhea.

FOOD SAFETY

• Gastric diseases are common among tourists who are not accustomed to local food or who do not take precautions.
• Do not drink tap water and favor bottled mineral water, without ice ; avoid eating ice cream and sherbet.
• Avoid eating raw or undercooked dishes, especially meat or fish. If possible, order hot dishes.
• Bring anti-diarrhea medication with you.
• Wash your hands carefully before each meal.

IMMUNIZATIONS AND MEDICATION

• Travellers entering the country from an endemic area are required to present a certificate of immunization against yellow fever.
Systematically:
• Hepatitis A: the vaccination is available for children at least one year old. For persons who were born before 1945, who have spent their childhood in a developing country or who have had an icterus, it may prove useful to search previously for serous antibodies in order to avoid an unnecessary shot.
• Hepatitis B: the vaccination is available for children at least two months old.
• Diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis: get a booster shot before leaving if your last shot is more than ten years old.



Depending on the duration and conditions of the trip:
• Typhoid fever: if the stay is occurring in precarious hygiene condition. The immunization is available for children at least 2 years old.
• Japanese encephalitis: for stays longer than a month in rural areas during the rain season. The immunization is available for children at least one year old.
• Tuberculosis: in case of a long stay, it is recommended to have children immunized against tuberculosis as soon as they reach the age of one month, and against mumps, measles and rubella when they reach the age of nine months.

HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURES

• ADK Hospital: phone + 960 320 436/320 437, fax + 960 313 554
• ADMC Clinic, Dharumavantha Magu: phone + 960 325 919, fax +9 60 325 978
• For diving accidents, there are hyperbaric chambers on the island of Bandos: phone + 960 440 088 or 443 310

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

• Firemen: 118
• Police: 119
• Ambulances: 102

CLIMATE

• The climate is sunny but regularly rainy (short rainfalls) with two rain seasons. The north-west monsoon causes the first rain season from December to March and the south-west monsoon, the second rain season (May-October). Rains are more important during the second monsoon. Precipitations reach their highest point in June and July.
• Temperatures rarely fall below 25°C and the sea water is usually 28°.
• When to go: between November and April.